>> THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM IS A PBS WISCONSIN ORIGINAL PRODUCTION.

>> FRIENDS, WE CAN DO IT!

>> FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 SHORTLY AFTER HER ANNOUNCEMENT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

NOW, POST QUARANTINE AND WITH A NEGATIVE TEST, SHE'S BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> I'M FREDERICA FREYBERG.

TONIGHT ON "HERE AND NOW," A CONVERSATION WITH REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, REBECCA KLEEFISCH.

MURV SEYMOUR TELLS THE STORY OF REDEMPTION AFTER A PARDON FROM GOVERNOR TONY EVERS.

THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM A MILWAUKEE ATTORNEY WHO GIVES LEGAL HELP SEEKING THE FORGIVENESS OF PARDONS.

IT'S "HERE AND NOW" FOR OCTOBER 1.

>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.

>> FIRST UP TONIGHT, FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REBECCA KLEEFISCH TAKES A BREAK FROM HER CAMPAIGN TO JOIN US.

KLEEFISCH SERVED AS SCOTT WALKER'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DURING HIS TWO TERMS IN OFFICE BETWEEN 2011 AND 2019.

BEFORE THAT, KLEEFISCH WORKED AS A TELEVISION NEWS REPORTER AND ANCHOR IN ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS AND THEN MILWAUKEE.

MORE RECENTLY, SHE SERVED AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WISCONSIN SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION IN 2019.

WHEN REBECCA KLEEFISCH JOINED US EARLIER, I STARTED BY ASKING HER ABOUT HER RECENT COVID-19 BREAKTHROUGH INFECTION.

>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING NOW?

>> I'M FINE.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING, BUT IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT CASES LIKE MINE THAT WE ARE REMINDED THAT EVERYBODY'S BODY TREATS THIS REALLY DIFFERENTLY.

AND, YOU KNOW, I WAS FINE BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY SUFFERING WITH COVID-19.

AND SO WE CONTINUE TO URGE PEOPLE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEMSELVES AND ALSO EVERYBODY JUST HAVE AN EXTRA MEASURE OF PATIENCE AND GRACE FOR FOLKS WHO WANT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES OR WANT TO TAKE EXTRA MEASURES OR, YOU KNOW, WANT TO HAVE FREEDOM, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY.

EVERYBODY TREATS THIS VERY DIFFERENTLY AND EVERYBODY'S BODY TREATS THIS VERY DIFFERENTLY.

>> IN FACT, YOU SAY YOU WANT TO, QUOTE, ENSURE ROBUST PROTECTION FOR CONSCIENCE IN A PANDEMIC.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THAT MEANS WE WANT TO PROTECT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT IS NOT DICTATING HEALTH CARE DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THE CONSTITUTION.

>> SO SHOULD PEOPLE TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PRIMARY OR BREAKTHROUGH CASES BY MASKING INDOORS OR IN SCHOOLS, FOR EXAMPLE?

AS GOVERNOR, HOW WOULD YOU KEEP PEOPLE SAFE?

>> WELL, I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WERE WELL AWARE OF THE FACTS.

AND THE FACTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.

WE KNOW THAT THE DELTA VARIANT IS BRAND NEW AND IT'S A BREAKTHROUGH VARIANT.

I WAS VACCINATED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH COVID DIAGNOSES EVEN AFTER BEING VACCINATED.

AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE WITH GOOD HYGIENE PRACTICES, HAND WASHING, MAKING SURE WE STAY DISTANT FROM PEOPLE WE DON'T KNOW.

IF YOU'RE SICK, MAKE SURE YOU STAY HOME FROM WORK OR SCHOOL.

WE IN AMERICA, WE IN WISCONSIN TEND TO BELIEVE THAT WORKING HARD AND WORKING THROUGH SICKNESS IS PROVING GROUND FOR GREAT WORK ETHIC.

UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT'S JUST NOT SMART.

WE ALSO NEED TO RESPECT PEOPLE'S INDIVIDUAL CHOICES.

IF SOMEONE WANTS TO WEAR A MASK AND HAS MADE A DECISION THAT THAT'S THE RIGHT HEALTH CARE CHOICE FOR THEM, THEN WE WOULD RESPECT IT AND NOT MAKE FOLKS FEEL SHAMED.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON IN PEOPLE'S PERSONAL LIVES AND WHAT THEIR PERSONAL CHOICES MAY BE BASED ON CONVERSATIONS THEY'VE HAD WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR MAYBE THEIR DOCTORS.

>> NOW, YOU SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP AND CALL HIM, QUOTE, ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL POLICY PRESIDENTS OF OUR TIME, ONE OF THE MOST PRO-LIFE PRESIDENTS EVER.

DO YOU SUPPORT HIS CONTINUED CHARGES THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN, THAT IN FACT JOE BIDEN DID NOT WIN?

>> FREDERICA, I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES THAT JOE BIDEN IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

HOWEVER, I DO THINK THERE SHOULD BE A FULL INVESTIGATION OF WHAT HAPPENED IN WISCONSIN IN 2020 BECAUSE WE ARE RISKING PEOPLE WALKING AWAY FROM THE ELECTORAL PROCESS COMPLETELY BECAUSE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEIR VOTE COUNTS.

SO WE NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT AND REASSURE FOLKS THAT WALKING AWAY FROM OUR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, OUR ELECTION PROCESS, IS NOT THE WAY WE HANDLE THINGS.

THAT IN FACT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY FRANCHISED, THAT THEY GO AND THEY VOTE AND THEY VOTE PASSIONATELY TO KEEP THIS DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC GOING.

>> SO YOU SUPPORT THESE INVESTIGATIONS IN WISCONSIN, EVEN IN THE FACE OF COURT CHALLENGES THAT FAILED ON THE PART OF DONALD TRUMP AND RECOUNTS?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE VOTE.

AND I THINK THE CONCERN WE HAVE IS PEOPLE DISENFRANCHISE PEOPLE THEY DON'T BELIEVE THEIR VOTE COUNTS OR THEY BELIEVE SOME SUSPICION ACTIVITY WENT DOWN IN NOVEMBER OF 2020.

WE NEED TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN TO THE BOTTOM OF 2020 SO THAT THEY CAN REST ASSURED THAT THEIR VOTE IS SECURE AND COUNTS.

IN WISCONSIN, WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE IT HARD TO CHEAT AND WE NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE ASSURANCES THAT THEIR VOTE MATTERS.

>> SHIFTING GEARS A LITTLE BIT, AS TO YOUR LAST ELECTION AND THE PROMISED JOBS AT FOXCONN, WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THE COMPANY NOT DELIVERING ON THOSE?

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED.

I'M DISAPPOINTED THE SAME AS ANYONE ACROSS WISCONSIN WHO HAD HIGH HOPES FOR 13,000 JOBS DELIVERED NEARLY RIGHT AWAY.

BUT I WILL SAY THAT OUR JOBS TAX CREDITS WERE NEVER DELIVERED BECAUSE THE BAR WAS SET EXTREMELY HIGH IN THE WALKER ADMINISTRATION.

TONY EVERS, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME TONY EVERS HAS LOWERED THE BAR.

BUT MY HOPE IS THAT WE WILL STILL SEE TREMENDOUS JOB CREATION BECAUSE OF SOME INVESTMENTS THAT WERE MADE IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> OKAY.

WE NEED TO LEAVE IT THERE.

WE ARE AT TIME, BUT I TRUST THAT WE WILL BE SPEAKING WITH YOU MORE IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> NO DOUBT.

THANK YOU.

>> GOVERNOR TONY EVERS SAYS POLITICAL RISK OR NOT, HE BELIEVES IN SECOND CHANCES THROUGH PROVIDING PARDONS.

HE HAS GRANTED HUNDREDS OF THEM SINCE TAKING OFFICE.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, HE SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WILL SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF GETTING A PARDON IN NONVIOLENT CASES.

"HERE AND NOW" SPECIAL PROJECTS JOURNALIST MURV SEYMOUR HAS THIS REPORT ON ONE MAN'S JOURNEY TO RECEIVE A GOVERNOR'S PARDON AND ITS PROFOUND IMPACT ON HIS LIFE.

>> YOU HAVE TO DO MORE THAN JUST SAY WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO.

YOU HAVE TO ACTUALLY DO IT.

>> ANTHONY COOPER LIVES TO HELP OTHERS.

HE COACHES FORMER PRISON INMATES ABOUT THE OUTSIDE WORLD THROUGH THE NEHEMIAH REENTER SERVICES PROGRAM OUT OF A TINY OFFICE ON MADISON'S SOUTH SIDE.

>> THE WORK WITH NONVIOLENT CRIMES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

>> FOCUS INTERRUPTION LOOKS FOR REDUCED TRAUMA FROM GUN VIOLENCE TO PEOPLE IN DANE COUNTY IMPACTED THE MOST.

<!3276 >> GO AND PROVIDE STRATEGIST AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORTS TO FAMILIES IN THE MOMENT.

>> IN THE COMMUNITY, ANTHONY IS A LEADER.

HE'S THE 2019 RECIPIENT OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HUMANITARIAN AWARD, GIVEN TO THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE SPIRIT OF DR. KING.

>> GROWING UP ON THE NORTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, I THINK WHERE WE LIVED WE HAD A VILLAGE.

MADISON IS MY VILLAGE.

BECAUSE OF THAT, I KNOW HOW TO ACT AS A VILLAGE.

I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT I WOULD BE AT WHERE I'M AT NOW.

>> WHERE HE IS NOW COMES AS A SURPRISE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER WHERE HE'S BEEN.

>> THERE'S AN OLD SAYING IF I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW BACK THEN, WHO WOULD I BE?

[SIRENS] >> BACK THEN, IN THE LATE '90s, ANTHONY COOPER WAS A DIFFERENT MAN.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOW I NAVIGATED LIFE, THERE WAS DEFINITELY SOME THINGS THAT I WISH I COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

I WAS A MAN-CHILD.

EVEN BEING A MAN IN AGE, AS I WAS STILL CHILD LIKE QUALITIES I HAD AS WELL.

I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT.

I WASN'T ABLE TO PROVIDE THE WAY I WOULD HAVE WANTED, TO PROVIDE FOR MY KIDS.

I DIDN'T SEE THE LIGHT.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE TO BE ABLE TO GET A FUNCTIONING JOB TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A FUNCTIONING FAMILY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I THOUGHT ABOUT BEING A NURSE.

>> GETTING INTO I.T.

[SIRENS] >> I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A FIREMAN.

THAT WAS MY IDEAL JOB.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN THE BEST WAREHOUSE WORKER.

I WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE MOVED UP TO BECOME A SUPERVISOR OF SOME SORT.

>> WITH ALL OF THOSE OPTIONS, EVENTUALLY HE TOOK AN UNEXPECTED ROUTE TO QUICK CASH.

>> HOW HARD IS IT TO GET OUT THERE ON A BLOCK AND, YOU KNOW, IF YOU KNOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE, TO GO AND SELL DRUGS?

>> ANTHONY BECAME A HUSTLING DRUG DEALER ON THE STREETS OF MADISON.

>> THAT W THOSE WERE SOME OF MYT DAYS.

I'M TRYING TO FIND A BETTER JOB.

>> ACCORDING TO POLICE, IN FEBRUARY OF 1999 HE SOLD HEROIN TO A CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT IN THIS PARKING LOT OUTSIDE AN EAST SIDE MADISON RESTAURANT AND SEVERAL OTHER LOCATIONS INCLUDING A LOCAL PART.

>> DAYS LATER HE LED POLICE ON A SHORT CAR CHASE THROUGH DOWNTOWN DURING RUSH HOUR BEFORE BEING ARRESTED.

>> MY MOTHER DIDN'T RAISE ME TO SELL DRUGS.

MY MOM GAVE US ALL SHE COULD.

>> AT THE TIME HE FELT SELLING DRUGS WAS HIS ONLY OPTION TO PROVIDE FOR HIS MOTHER, SON AND HIS THEN PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND.

>> I CAN GET A JOB, BUT IF THAT JOB IS STILL LEAVING ME STRUGGLING, I KNOW AT THE SAME TIME IF MY PAGER, PHONE OR WHATEVER, EVERY TIME THEY CALL, IT'S $20, $50 HERE, $100 HERE.

EVENTUALLY THAT GREW.

THEN WHAT HAPPENS.

1999 WHEN I WAS 22 YEARS OLD I WAS CONVICTED OF THREE FELONIES.

>> HE READS HIS OWN WRITTEN WORDS ABOUT WHAT HIS DRUG-SELLING DAYS CAME TO AN END.

>> THE THINGS I'M WRITING I ISN'T WRITING FOR YOU ALL, BUT FOR ME.

I'LL ALWAYS HAVE THAT MEMORY.

>> HE SOMETIMES WONDERED IF GETTING CAUGHT MAY HAVE SAVED HIS LIFE.

>> I COULD HAVE GOT CAUGHT WITH MORE THAN WHAT I HAD.

I COULD HAVE GOT KILLED.

MY SON GROWING UP WITHOUT A FATHER.

MY MOM GROWING UP WITHOUT -- YOU KNOW, AS SHE'S GETTING OLDER, NOT HAVING A SON.

MY SISTERS NOT HAVING A BROTHER.

>> AFTER PLEADING GUILTY HE DID TWO YEARS IN STATE PRISON IN PORTAGE, BLACK RIVER FALLS AND BOOT CAMP IN NEW RICHMOND.

>> NOTHING ABOUT PRISON I LIKED.

>> SOMEONE IS INCARCERATED, IT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT YOU.

IT AFFECTS EVERYONE THAT'S CONNECTED TO YOU.

>> WHEN THEY CALLED MY NAME TO BE ABLE TO GO TO BOOT CAMP.

THAT'S THE HOPE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GO TO BOOT CAMP AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IT.

>> FRESH OUT OF PRISON, ANTHONY SAYS HE FOUND HIMSELF FRESH OUT OF LUCK IN FINDING A GOOD-PAYING JOB.

HE WOULD SETTLE FOR A GIG MAKING PIZZAS, HONORABLE WORK, BUT IN HIS WORDS IT DIDN'T PAY ENOUGH TO FEED HIS FAMILY.

>> WHEN I CAME HOME, I KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO SELL PIZZAS ALL OF MY LIFE.

>> HE SAYS HE FOUGHT TEMPTATIONS.

>> THE THOUGHTS ARE STILL THERE.

>> TO GO BACK TO THE CROOKED LIFESTYLE THAT LANDED HIM IN PRISON.

>> THE THOUGHT WAS STILL THERE.

I NEVER WANTED MY SONS TO COME BACK IN PRISON, TO PRISON TO SAY -- YOU KNOW, TO COME AND VISIT ME THERE.

IF I ALLOWED THEM TO CONTINUE TO SEE ME GO FORTH AND FORTH IN PRISON, EVENTUALLY THAT'S GOING TO BECOME NORMAL FOR THEM AND EVENTUALLY THEY'LL FOLLOW THE SAME ROUTE.

>> HE QUICKLY LEARNED HIS STATUS AS A FELON CRIPPLED HIS OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER LIFE.

>> FROM HOUSING, LOANS, GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES, GRANTS.

YOU'RE STILL LOOKED AT AS LESS THAN.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME ABOUT MY BACKGROUND EVEN THOUGH IT'S SO MANY YEARS.

IT'S ALMOST A RESTART ON LIFE, A RESTART OF ME TRYING TO EXPLAIN AND TRYING TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT, HEY, THAT'S -- WHO I WAS AT 19, 20, 21, 22 IS NOT THE SAME PERSON WHO I AM TODAY.

>> NOW, ALMOST 20 YEARS OUT OF PRISON.

>> NONE OF US KNEW ANYONE THAT HAD A PARDON.

>> ANTHONY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND A PARDON FROM THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ADVISORY BOARD.

>> THEY ALL KNEW THE CHANGE THAT WAS WITHIN ME.

WHEN I WAS ARRESTED, THAT WAS IN 1999.

>> HE WROTE THE WORDS HE READ EARLIER IN 2019 AS PART OF HIS APPLICATION TO THE BOARD.

>> THERE'S PEOPLE I KNEW FROM THE STREETS SAY THE SAME THING.

WE'RE JUST PROUD OF YOU, WHO YOU'VE BECOME.

>> WE DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO THE VICTIMS.

>> FORMER MADISON POLICE CHIEF NOBLE WRAY IS PART OF THE BOARD.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE DURING COVID THAT HAVE PRESENTED SOME VERY COMPELLING CASES.

>> YOU'RE WATCHING WISCONSIN EYE.

>> BECAUSE OF COVID, WE HAD TO DO IT VIRTUAL.

BUT NOW IT'S ABOUT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE AROUND?

WHO ARE YOU NOW THAT YOU WERE NOT 20 YEARS AGO, 15 YEARS AGO, SEVEN YEARS AGO?

>> ANTHONY COOPER'S CASE WAS ONE OF MANY BROUGHT BEFORE THE BOARD.

>> THE THEY ARE IMPACTED BY THER EMPLOYMENT.

THEY'RE IMPACTED BY WHERE THEY CAN LIVE AND CANNOT LIVE.

THERE ARE LIMITATIONS PLACED ON YOU IF YOU HAVE A FELONY TO BE ABLE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY.

>> CAN YOU OPEN A CHILD CARE CENTER?

CAN YOU CARE FOR PEOPLE?

YOU CAN TAKE AN 18-YEAR-OLD IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN THAT DECIDED TO DRIVE THROUGH A CORNFIELD BASED UPON THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THAT THEY CREATE, THAT WAS A FELONY.

BUT THEY'RE 18 AND 19 YEARS OLD.

AND THEY WALK INTO A PARDON BOARD AND THEY'RE 55 OR 56 AND THEY LOOK YOU IN THE EYE AND SAY, HEY, ALL I WANT TO DO IS BE ABLE TO TELL PEOPLE AROUND ME THAT I'M NOT A FELON.

>> TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GOVERNOR'S PARDON, YOU HAVE TO BE A CONVICTED FELON WHO'S COMPLETED ALL OF YOUR SENTENCES AT LEAST FIVE YEARS AGO AND CANNOT HAVE ANY PENDING CRIMINAL CHARGES.

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

WHILE THE BOARD MAKES THE RECOMMENDATIONS... >> ALL THAT IS ABOUT CORRECTIONS ISN'T ABOUT PUNISHMENT.

>> GOVERNOR TONY EVERS HAS THE FINAL SAY.

>> IT'S ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE READY TO REENTER LIFE OUTSIDE OF CORRECTIONS.

I'M ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN REDEMPTION.

BOTH MY PARENTS WERE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, AND THEY SPENT THEIR LIVES TRYING TO GIVE PEOPLE SECOND CHANCES PHYSICALLY.

THIS IS A WAY TO GIVE SECOND PEOPLE CHANCES SPIRITUALLY.

WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR PRISON RIGHT NOW, AND WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP THOSE THAT HAVE EXITED THE SYSTEM AND ARE DOING WELL IN THEIR LIVES, RECOGNIZING THAT.

>> SO FAR IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS IN OFFICE, MOST RECENT NUMBERS SHOW GOVERNOR EVERS IS GRANTING MORE PARDONS EACH YEAR.

262 OUT OF OVER 1300 APPLICANTS AND COUNTING THROUGH AUGUST, ONLY DENYING 1% OF THE TIME.

>> IF REELECTED, HE SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE APPROVING PARDONS.

HIS PREDECESSOR, SCOTT WALKER, DIDN'T DELIVER A SINGLE ONE IN HIS EIGHT YEARS AS GOVERNOR.

>> THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T GET THAT CHANCE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

I REVIEW EVERY SINGLE ONE THAT'S RECOMMENDED TO ME.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST HEARTWARMING EXERCISES I GO THROUGH AS GOVERNOR.

MANY OF THEM FRANKLY ARE PEOPLE THAT THESE CRIMES WERE COMMITTED 20, 30, 40 YEARS AGO AND THEY'VE BEEN CLEAN FOR 20, 30, 40 YEARS.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO THROW ANYBODY AWAY.

I HAVE NO DOUBT AT SOME POINT IN TIME SOMEBODY WILL GOOF UP.

THERE ARE PEOPLE EVERY DAY IN THIS STATE THAT MAKE MISTAKES THAT MAY END UP BEING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT 99% AND 49/100THS PERCENT ARE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

>> MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER SUBMITTING HIS APPLICATION, ON FEBRUARY 23, 2021 ANTHONY COOPER GETS NEWS HE'S BEEN WAITING ON.

>> THAT WAS THE SCARY PART FOR ME.

>> HE RECEIVES HIS PARDON.

>> IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF MY SON'S BIRTH.

I WAS A BALL OF EMOTIONS.

THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR AGAIN IS SAYING, HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S GIVE THIS PERSON A NEW START IN LIFE, RIGHT?

THAT'S -- THAT'S HUGE.

>> IF YOU CAN THINK OF YOURSELF AS SOMEONE RIGHT NOW THAT COMMITTED A FELONY AND YOU'RE ASKING YOURSELF WILL I EVER BE ABLE TO CONNECT BACK WITH SOCIETY AND FEEL LIKE A WHOLE CITIZEN, A WISCONSINITE, IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE LIKE ANTHONY COOPER, HE PROVIDES THAT NORTH STAR.

>> HE IS HARDLY THE ONLY ONE.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

SOMEBODY THAT WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, IN SUCH A BAD PLACE THAT THEY ENDED UP BEING INCARCERATED BECAUSE OF USE AND BUYING AND SELLING.

AND NOW THEY'RE ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

>> PEOPLE ARE APPLYING FOR THIS BECAUSE THEY FEEL, A, THEY DESERVE IT.

B, THEY THINK THAT THEY CAN BE ROLE MODELS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND, C, THEY FEEL THAT IT CAN HEAL WOUNDS IN THEIR FAMILY.

>> MY KIDS ARE MY ANGELS, HANDS DOWN.

THERE'S NO IF, AND, BUTS ABOUT THAT.

MY KIDS ARE WHAT MADE ME CHANGE.

I HAD TO BE ABLE TO SAY WHEN I LOOK BACK I CAN TELL MY SONS I LOVE SOMETHING MORE THAN I LOVE MYSELF.

>> WE NEED MORE ANTHONY COOPERS.

PEOPLE KNOW HIM.

THEY SEE HIM.

AND THEY'LL LOOK AT HIM AND SAY IF ANTHONY CAN DO IT, I CAN DO IT.

>> REPORTING FOR "HERE AND NOW," I'M MURV SEYMOUR.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS NO PARDON RECIPIENT HAS REOFFENDED IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE GOVERNOR EVERS BEGAN GRANTING THOSE PARDONS.

THIS REPORTING IS PART OF A PBS WISCONSIN-WPR-WISCONTEXT COLLABORATION UTILIZING REPORTING, RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY-BASED EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND INSIGHT ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT WISCONSIN.

INCLUDED IN THE COVERAGE WE ALSO HEAR FROM AN ATTORNEY DOING CLEMENCY WORK ON THE GROUND.

MEGAN MORRISEY IS THE COORDINATOR OF THE EXPUNGEMENT PARDON CLINIC, A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL AND THE MILWAUKEE BAR ASSOCIATION.

WE SAT DOWN WITH HER THIS WEEK AND ASKED HER THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> ALTHOUGH PARDONS GO TO FELONIES, EXPUNGEMENT CAN GO TO THE LOWER LEVEL FELONIES, CLASS H, CLASS I, SO FORGERY, UTTERING AND LOWER LEVEL DRUG OFFENSES ARE ELIGIBLE.

WHAT EXPUNGEMENT ACTUALLY DOES, LET'S SAY ALL THINGS ARE IN THE POSITIVE AND HAVE GONE REALLY WELL FOR AN INDIVIDUAL.

THAT CONVICTION, IT'S STILL THERE.

IT DOESN'T VACATE THE CONVICTION.

SIMILARLY WITH PARDON.

PARDON DOESN'T VACATE THE CONVICTION.

BUT EXPUNGEMENT TAKES IT OFF OF CCAP.

IT ALSO SEALS THE RECORD.

PHYSICALLY CEILING THE FILE IN G THE FILE SO NOBODY CAN READ WHAT THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SAYS.

IT SEALS IT FROM PUBLIC VIEW.

SO THAT'S WHAT EXPUNGEMENT DOES.

PARDON, ON THE OTHER HAND, ONLY APPLIES TO FELONIES.

A PARDON DOES NOT TAKE IT OFF OF CCAP.

SO A PARDON WILL STILL BE VIEWABLE BY INDIVIDUALS ON CCAP, BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS CCAP WILL PUT UP A POP-UP THAT STATES THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS GRANTED A PARDON BY THE GOVERNOR WHICH EXTENDS FORGIVENESS AND ALSO REINSTATES THE INDIVIDUAL'S CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOME PRIVILEGES.

BUT, AGAIN, IT DOESN'T VACATE OR ACTUALLY TAKE AWAY THAT CONVICTION.

>> THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE COORDINATOR OF THE EXPUNGEMENT PARDON CLINIC CAN BE SEEN ONLINE ON THE pbswisconsin.org NEWS PAGE ON MONDAY.

YOU'LL ALSO SEE ADDITIONAL REPORTING, INCLUDING FROM WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ON THE ISSUE OF EXECUTIVE PARDONS.

AGAIN, LOOK FOR THAT WISCONTEXT COLLABORATIVE REPORTING PROJECT MONDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 4, ON THE PBS WISCONSIN AND WPR WEB PAGES.

BUT TONIGHT, OCTOBER 1, SEES US BIDDING A FOND FAREWELL.

"HERE AND NOW" SERIES ELECTION AND DEBATE SENIOR PRODUCER ANDY MOORE IS HANGING UP HIS HEAD FOEHNS.

HE RETIRES FROM PBS WISCONSIN TAKING HIS WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE OUT THE DOOR.

ANDY HAS BEEN BEHIND THE NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAMMING YOU'VE SEEN ON OUR AIR THROUGHOUT.

WHETHER EVENTS HAVE BEEN ROUTINE OR RAGING, HE'S SEEN IT ALL, BROUGHT HIS TOPNOTCH EDITORIAL JUDGMENT AND DELIVERED TO VIEWERS WITH HIS SPECIAL BRAND OF SENSIBILITY FOR WHAT MATTERS AND WHY.

>> ANDY STARTED AT WISCONSIN PUBLIC TELEVISION IN 1987, AS A PRODUCER OF "WISCONSIN WEEK," A WEEKLY PROGRAM THAT EXAMINED STATEWIDE POLICIES AND WAS COA ANCHOANCHORED BY DAVE IVERSON AE SMITH.

THE LIVE PROGRAM "WEEKEND" DEBUTED IN OCTOBER OF 1991.

>> WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ANDY MOORE, LONG-TIME PRODUCER AND HIS DAUGHTER, MAGGIE MOORE.

>> I WANTED MAGGIE TO BE ON TV.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WE'VE BEEN ON THE AIR FOR 11 YEARS.

I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT 11 YEARS LOOKS LIKE.

>> ALWAYS ONE TO INCLUDE A LITTLE WHIMSY IN THE LONG-RUNNING SHOW, ANDY HELPED ILLUSTRATE A DRY AND BORING POLICY ABOUT PROPERTY TAX WHILE DONNING RAIN GEAR.

>> LET'S ASSUME FOR A MOMENT ANDY IS THE AVERAGE TAXPAYER UP IN DOOR COUNTY.

HE FISHES FOR A LIVING.

>> HE WAS NOT AFRAID TO TACKLE THE HARD STORIES.

>> FROM THE WEEKEND EYE TEAM, CHIEF COR CORRESPONDENT ANDY MO.

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE REPORT, WHITEWATER, THE INSIDE STORY.

>> AS A LIFELONG MUSICIAN ANDY WAS NEVER AT A LOSS TO BRING A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT INTO THE PICTURE OR A LIVE BAND INTO THE STUDIO.

♪ >> THE "HERE AND NOW" PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN JANUARY, 2003.

THAT MAY ANDY SHARED HIS COMMUTE TO WORK WITH VIEWERS.

>> THOSE OF US THAT BIKE TO WORK ALL YEAR SEE BIKE TO WORK WEEK THE WAY THAT PARTIERS SEE NEW YEAR'S EVE: STRICTLY FOR AMATEURS.

>> WHILE STILL BOOKING INTERVIEWS FOR "HERE AND NOW," HE FOUND TIME AND A PLACE FOR HIS PASSION: MUSIC.

>> IT'S A 30 MINUTE MUSIC HOUR.

I'M ANDY MOORE FROM WISCONSIN.

>> HE HOSTED A PROGRAM SHOWCASING LOCAL MUSICIANS AND FANS.

IN THE END, THOUGH, ANDY'S PROGRAMMATIC BREAD AND BUTTER HAS ALWAYS BEEN POLITICS AND POLICY.

AND HIS WORK AND SENSIBILITY IN SUCH COVERAGE IS UNMATCHED.

>> PRIMARIES ARE ABOUT EXPECTATION.

YOU GOT TO LOWER THEM.

>> AS YOU JUST SAW, ANDY SURE MADE COMING TO WORK FUN.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, HE WAS ALWAYS A SERIOUS NEWSMAN WITH HIS FINGER ON THE POLITICAL PULSE AND DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE.

WE WANTED TO CHECK IN ON ANDY BEFORE WE GO IN HIS STUDIO CONTROL ROOM SPACE IN PERSON FOR A SENDOFF.

HEY, ANDY.

>> HEY, FRED.

>> SO AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS OF FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE CONTROL ROOM, WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO BE THERE FOR THE FINAL SECONDS OF A PROGRAM?

>> IT'S SURREAL.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE GOING TO YOUR OWN FUNERAL.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO OUTSPOKEN ALL WEEK LONG AND SHARING MEMORIES AND PASSING ALONG, YOU KNOW, GOOD WISHES AND SO FORTH.

IT'S JUST BEEN FANTASTIC.

TO IMAGINE FOR ANYONE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND JOURNALISM IS SUCH A TALL WISH, BUT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TRY MY BEST AT BOTH OF THOSE THINGS, SURROUNDED BY SUCH TALENTED PEOPLE.

IT'S CLICHE TO SAY THIS IN OUR BUSINESS, BUT I'VE DONE A LOT OF THINGS.

I'VE NEVER RUN CAMERA, EDITED A FRAME OF VIDEO, WRITTEN A PROMOTION, DIRECTED ANYTHING.

IT'S BECAUSE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT I'M HERE AND THAT WE'RE ON THE AIR.

AND SO I GUESS MORE THAN ANYTHING, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THEM AND TO THE VIEWERS.

>> ANDY, THANK YOU TO YOU.

AND WE WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT AS A SERIOUS JOURNALIST AND PRODUCER, YOU WON A BOAT LOAD OF AWARDS, INCLUDING FOUR CONSECUTIVE, VERY PRESTIGIOUS WALTER CRONKITE AWARDS IN JOURNALISM.

THIS IS THE KIND OF WORK THAT YOU SPENT THE PAST MORE THAN THREE DECADES DOING AND WE WILL SORELY MISS YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> I'LL MISS YOU, FRED.

YOU'RE IN GOOD HANDS, YOU FOLKS AT HOME.

THANKS SO MUCH, FRED.

YOU ARE A TOPNOTCH JOURNALIST AND A DEAR, DEAR FRIEND.

>> U THAT.

THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WITH THAT, WE INVITE YOU TO GO TO pbswisconsin.org AND CLICK ON THE NEWS TAB.

MONDAY LOOK THERE FOR EXPANDED REPORTING ON THE WISCONSIN PARDON PROCESS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> FUNDING FOR "HERE AND NOW" IS PROVIDED BY THE FOCUS FUND FOR JOURNALISM AND FRIENDS OF PBS WISCONSIN.